Looking back…Spotlight on Andre Tippett
Date of Birth: December 27, 1959 (age 54), Birmingham, Alabama
Height: 6’3” Weight: 231 lbs
This Barringer High School in Newark, New Jersey product was an All-American defensive end at Iowa. The New England Patriots drafted Tippett as a linebacker with the 41st pick of the 1982 NFL Draft.
Andre was a quiet peaceful man, but was a hitting and sacking machine on the field. He played 11 seasons for the Patriots, and was selected to five Pro-Bowls, was a two time First Team All-Pro, and a Second Team All-Pro selection twice. He was also an AFC Champion in 1985, and was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
Was selected to the 1980s All-Decade Team, and was the UPI AFL-AFC Player of the Year in 1985, and shared the Newspaper Enterprise Association Defensive Player of the Year award with Howie Long in 1985. Holds the Patriots sack record with 100.
My Take:
Tippett was a pure athlete; he played linebacker at a time when outside linebackers (OLBs) didn’t really rush the passer as much as they stuffed the edges. In those days, teams weren’t pass-happy like today, and OLBs were used mostly to contain the numerous sweeps teams ran. The fact that he accumulated 100 sacks tells you what a great player he was. If he had played 20 years later, he would have shattered sack records across the NFL. The Patriots sure could use his talents in that department today.
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